The 24-hour ski-a-thon began at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, and 24 teams of four skied or snowboarded continuously for 24 hours. Director of group sales and marketing Lorraine Moyer said each team paid $60 to register and raised a minimum of $200 to participate.

Team Darlene, consisting of 20 family and friends skiing in honor of Darlene Capovani, who died of heart disease in July 2006, raised $4,100.

Joe Capovani said, This is a great way to honor my wife and help the American Heart Association. We'll keep her memory alive and strong. She would be proud.

Capovani said his family has been coming to Maple Ski Ridge for three years. A friend of the family, Warren Shaw, 10, saw a flier for the event and got everyone together to participate.

Capovani said the teams skied from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. then most slept while a few members skied from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m., and the teams reunited to finish the event at 9 a.m.

"Everyone has been so supportive of my family," Capovani said. "This just affirms it all the more."

The prize awarded during the Ridge Goes Red event for raising the most money went to Team Darlene, and Cartman's Crew, made up of Schenectady teenagers Trey Foreman, Anthony Tote, Biley Janowicz and Brandon Vine, won for completing the most runs -- 887.

Also part of the events at Maple Ski Ridge was a silent auction, on-site massages for donations, and The Bone/94.5 and 93.7 radio station provided entertainment.

This was the third year for the Ridge Goes Red fund-raiser. Moyer said each year the event has grown and raised more money for the cause.

Sticky snow during Friday night created great ski conditions for the entire event.

The Go Red for Women campaign helps educate women about heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 and No. 3 killer of women over the age of 25.

For more information about Go Red for Women, visit www.americanheart.org. For more information about Maple Ski Ridge visit www.mapleskiridge.com.